Combined association to safeguard Cuba Street

The push is on to establish a combined Cuba Street residents' and retailers' association but it won't just be drunkenness, disorderly behaviour and littering on its agenda.

The earthquake-strengthening requirements for building owners could change the entire face of Cuba Street, says Cuba Street resident and National list MP Mark Blumsky, one of those behind the move to establish the joint association.

The council's approach to earthquake standards for older buildings could have a dramatic impact on the Cuba precinct, which is home to many character buildings, he says.

The council admits the costs to owners to meet the strengthening criteria could be significant and could see some buildings demolished rather than restored.  While individual building owners will obviously have their views, there seems to be a useful role for a more collective response to this type of big issue which affects the entire area, he says.

Mr Blumsky's apartment is in a building that needs strengthening work in line with new council guidelines. It's going to cost about $600,000 to do the work, a cost shared by about five people. "That's about $120,000 each ... we've got 10 years to do it and have started a fund. We will do it but there are heaps of others who might not be able to," he says.

If buildings are required to be demolished it would change the face of Cuba Street. It could end up a very different place, like a smaller version of Lambton Quay and that would be sad, he says.

Mr Blumsky believes the council has gone overboard with its new earthquake compliance requirements. "They got a wake-up call with the City Gallery."

Wellington City councillor and transport and urban development leader Andy Foster says the council has a balancing act between its statutory obligation to reduce fatalities in a big earthquake, which will happen one day, and preserving the historic nature of the area.

Of the 3800 buildings initially evaluated city-wide about a quarter could fail to meet the required standard, which is 33 per cent of the requirement for new buildings.

In the City Gallery's case the standard will be brought up to two-thirds of the new-building standard because the reality is "the standards will keep being raised over time".

However, Mr Foster says the time owners have to strengthen has been revised - from five to 10 years for high risk structures; from 10 to 15 years for moderate and from 15 to 20 years for low risk structures.
Most building in Cuba Street will be in the longer term category, he believes, being hotels, offices and apartments under 15 storeys.

But Mr Foster says it's a draft policy and people can comment if they have concerns or see a problem. Submissions close on August 8.

Mr Blumsky did a leaflet drop to local residents and businesses and got about 75 responses, the majority from residents. "I got a lot more residents than business, about four to one, so I am doing another round of just businesses."

The idea for a combined association was first hatched about two years ago when a petition went to the council calling for action on drinking and bad behaviour in the area. It resurfaced when a second petition, which led to the recently-ratified 27-7 liquor ban in the CBD, was presented to the council. It was the second petition and efforts by local businessman Chris Gray to tidy up the area that gave the association idea impetus again. "We need a stronger voice," says Mr Blumsky.

"As a resident, it is clear that we have not yet fully addressed the issue of liquor, drugs and anti-social behaviour, particularly in the mall and parks.  People also tell me that they remain concerned about their safety on many streets.  Wellington City Council and Police have made a number of positive moves to address these problems but there is still a gap between results and public expectations."